Sue Le Feuvre

By UrbanDonkey

One of the dolphins….

They will soon be auctioned for charity.

My saying today is ‘been there, done that, got the t-shirt’.
The saying "been there, done that, got the t-shirt" originated in Australia around the late 1970s, evolving from the shorter phrase "been there, done that" which first appeared in the 1970s. The full version, "got the t-shirt," was added later to emphasize that one has experienced something so thoroughly that they have the souvenir to prove it, often in a jaded or bored manner. The T-shirt reference connects to the practice of tourists buying souvenir shirts to commemorate their visits to attractions or events. 

Evolution of the phrase:
1. Been there:
The earliest form, "been there," emerged in the early 1970s with the same meaning as "been there, done that". 
2. Been there, done that:
The addition of "done that" is specifically noted as Australian in origin, appearing in the late 1970s. An early citation is from a 1979 column in The Canberra Times, referring to a song for Australian cricketer Alan McGilvray. 
3. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt:
The final part, "got the t-shirt," was added to this longer phrase, becoming popular in the 1980s. The T-shirt symbolizes proof of having visited a tourist spot or experienced an event. 
Meaning:
The phrase expresses complete familiarity or thorough experience with a topic or situation, often to the point of boredom or complacency. The "t-shirt" adds a layer of irony, as if the speaker has collected souvenirs from countless experiences, implying they have seen it all. 

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